Kubi

Kitano returns with a bit of an unusual film, for him. It might seem like a historical film at first, but it delves deeper and deeper into satire and comedy as we go. Many details are historically accurate, many are very much not, and many more is speculation or outright fiction, but these only serve to drive the point home. One of the peculiar historical inaccuracies is the age of the most famous protagonists, Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu. The latter one are much older than they were in reality, while Nobunaga is younger. This can be explained by the 30 year delay in making the film, and Kitano refusing to recast himself, while the young age of Nobunaga reinforces his brash nature in the film. Many, if not all, famous people of the era are present, including Kiryu, Hattori Hanzo, even Yasuke. Also many famous events (other than the main event, the Honnoji incident) are also recounted in shorter versions than we have seen in previous films dedicated wholly to them, like the battle of Nagashino (Kagemusha) and the siege of Takamatsu (The Floating Castle, which is actually based on a similar siege 8 years later). While remaining quasi accurate to history, Kitano (or rather, Beat) Takeshi takes a satirical edge to these events, most evident in the (I think wholly made up) character of Mosuke. Everyone can be killed at any time in this struggle for power, and no one life means anything. While quite successful in balancing the historical and the humorous, I think it would have been better to skew more toward the humorous side. The costumes and sets are great, as are the cast, with the usual Kitano mainstay actors, plus everyone's favorite Shark Skin Man. Some budget restraints are evident, as we don't see huge battles head on, but rather framed as to only suggest this is part of a big battle. It's still very enjoyable, but not his best.

Takeshi Kitano's latest film, "The Head," is not so much a period piece with black jokes but rather a film that tells us that even people who are considered great are worldly in this way. The abundance of gore and the characters' complete lack of humanity and duty in the world remind one of his hit "Outrage" series.

I think that what he wanted to express in this film was to show the cheap minds of those who are considered great men, and to muddy the waters of a kind of holiness.

To begin with, Hideyoshi Hashiba, who is played by the director himself, is often portrayed as a loyal retainer of Nobunaga Oda, but in historical fact, Nobunaga was a treacherous character and a destroyer of past customs. Do we understand the feelings of his subordinates who follow such a mad boss?

I wonder if Hideyoshi, who has reached a certain position, has a strong antipathy toward him? I wonder if Hideyoshi, who became a man of status, might have strong antipathy toward him. By placing the commoner-born Hideyoshi as the main character, this film shows us how the beauty of the samurai was a beautiful lie.

I recommend this film, but you may enjoy it more if you see another film by Takeshi Kitano before seeing this one.

Wild movie which I cannot recommend to a casual audience that knows nothing about the genre or the history behind this film. I had no idea what to expect and was thoroughly confused only 20 minutes in. I was never able to catch up with the story which moved at a blazing speed. Characters appeared quickly without introduction, names flash for a second on the subtitles and they went on their merry way. The director literally serves you an entree allows you to take a bite and immediately pulls the plate away. Next plate is served again just one bite. This went on repeatedly.

This is not a good movie at all. Major plot lines just go off on their own and do not intersect. So much action and backroom plotting is occurring I had no clue who was who and why this or that. The only saving grace for me was the "Monkey". His character was super funny and the actor did a great job portraying him. Outside of that I didn't enjoy the movie as I had hoped. Advice to you non-Japanese speaking audience members take notes of names and who's side they're on. You will need it to stay on track.

Great movie about legendary feudal lord. Very much like 13 assassin (2010), and Silence (2016), bringing the samurai movie forward with contemporary film making techniques.

Darkly comic, its all about the heads. I don't provide spoilers, but you'll understand when you watch it.

Barbarically sadistic, the ancient samurai's depicted in this movie, leaves little to the imagination.

Great cast and a fantastic genre entry from the ever versatile director.

Hideyoshi was a real Shogun from the 1500's, I think the most revered and feared. Feel fortunate that I am 1st to review this title.

Hope to see more like it from director.

I am disappointed by this movie. Expected brilliance but there isn't any. The script is rather poor and simplistic. Oda Nobunaga is presented as a deviant tyrant and psycho, with no shades of anything else, there's nothing to him that would indicate why that man has conquered and ruled most of Japan. It doesn't help that the actor in the role is overacting horribly. Other actors do a slightly better job but they are all poorly and superficially written. They are just figurines in the political intrigue. Costumes and weaponry are nice but budget limitations are very clear and sometimes the movie looks like it was made for TV.